Pasta e ceci, also known as pasta with chickpeas, is a classic Italian dish that is both comforting and flavorful. This traditional recipe is a great way to use up leftover chickpeas or canned chickpeas. The combination of tender pasta, creamy chickpeas, and savory broth creates a hearty and satisfying meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual lunch. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can easily make a delicious pasta e ceci that will warm your soul and fill your belly.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
PASTA E CECI (ITALIAN PASTA AND CHICKPEA STEW)
There is an incredible number of recipes for this classic Roman dish, and everyone has an opinion on how it should be prepared. This version is more stew than soup, but it can be loosened up with a bit more water if you prefer. It begins with sautéing onion, tomatoes, garlic and rosemary in olive oil, then tossing in the chickpeas, and smashing a few to give the stew a creamy texture. Water is added, then uncooked pasta, which cooks as the stew simmers (and results in one less dish for you wash). Escarole is folded in right before serving. This flexible stew can go in a number of directions, so tweak it as you see fit, but don't forget to finish each bowl with grated pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil. Ciao.
Provided by Colu Henry
Categories dinner, weekday, soups and stews, appetizer, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not taking on any color, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary and red-pepper flakes, and cook 1 minute more. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the tomatoes and the chickpeas, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon or spatula and smashing about 1/2 cup of the beans.
- Add 3 cups water and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and simmer, stirring often to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan, until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. The water will mostly be absorbed by the pasta, but if you prefer it brothier, you can add 1/2 to 1 cup water and simmer until warmed through, 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the escarole and stir until wilted. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
CACIO E PEPE
It is among the most basic, simplest pastas there is, and suddenly trendy to boot. Why? Because when made right, it is incredible.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories easy, weeknight, pastas, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put a pot of salted water on to boil. In a large bowl, combine the cheeses and black pepper; mash with just enough cold water to make a thick paste. Spread the paste evenly in the bowl.
- Once the water is boiling, add the pasta. The second before it is perfectly cooked (taste it frequently once it begins to soften), use tongs to quickly transfer it to the bowl, reserving a cup or so of the cooking water. Stir vigorously to coat the pasta, adding a teaspoon or two of olive oil and a bit of the pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if necessary. The sauce should cling to the pasta and be creamy but not watery.
- Plate and dust each dish with additional pecorino and pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 642, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 37 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 1104 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
PASTA E CECI
This simple, hearty dish is pure Italian comfort food. Made with double carbs (chickpeas -- the "ceci" -- and ditalini!), it's somewhere between a soup and a pasta, bringing the best qualities of both to one bowl. While it's optional, the Parmesan rind adds a depth of flavor here as well as to other soups and stews, especially vegetarian ones. Whenever you finish a wedge of Parmesan, just wrap the leftover rind well in plastic and keep it in the fridge. The lemon zest and juice add a bright note to the broth that's thickened by mashing some of the chickpeas. If you don't have a potato masher, you can mash the chickpeas against the sides of the pot with a wooden spoon.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the carrots, celery and leeks; cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are wilted, about 5 minutes. Clear a space in the center of the pot and add the tomato paste, rosemary, garlic and red pepper flakes. Let toast for a minute, then stir into the vegetables. Add the chickpeas, lemon zest, bay leaves, Parmesan rind, if using, 6 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash some of the chickpeas until the broth appears creamy and slightly thick, leaving plenty of chickpeas whole, 6 or 7 mashes around the pot should do the trick. Add the ditalini and 1 cup water. Return to a simmer and cook until the ditalini is very al dente, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and let sit until the broth is thickened and the pasta finishes cooking, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves, cheese rind and lemon zest before serving. Season the pasta e ceci with salt, if needed. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan.
PASTA E CECI (JAMIE OLIVER)
Make and share this Pasta E Ceci (Jamie Oliver) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by DrGaellon
Categories Beans
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet or soup pot over medium-low heat, and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Saute the onion, celery, celery leaves, and garlic, covered, until soft and translucent, about 15 minutes.
- Add the rosemary, chickpeas and stock and bring to a gentle boil. Simmer for 20 minutes until the chickpeas are soft. Remove half the chickpeas with a slotted spoon, and purée the remaining soup in a blender, through a food mill, or with an immersion blender. Return the purée and reserved chickpeas to the pot, and add the pasta.
- Cook until the pasta is tender, adding boiling water if necessary to loosen. Season to taste with salt and pepper and the lemon juice. Serve with parsley or basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.
Tips:
- Use the right beans: Ceci beans, also known as chickpeas, are the traditional bean used in pasta e ceci. They have a slightly nutty flavor and hold their shape well when cooked. If you can't find ceci beans, you can substitute another type of bean, such as cannellini beans or Great Northern beans.
- Soak the beans overnight: Soaking the beans overnight helps to soften them and reduce their cooking time. If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, you can quick-soak them by boiling them in water for 1 minute, then removing them from the heat and letting them sit for 1 hour.
- Use a flavorful broth: The broth is an important part of pasta e ceci, so it's important to use a flavorful one. You can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even a combination of the two. If you're using a store-bought broth, be sure to choose one that is low in sodium.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta e ceci is a soup, so the pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. If you overcook the pasta, it will become mushy and lose its flavor.
- Serve with grated Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese is a classic topping for pasta e ceci. It adds a salty, nutty flavor to the soup.
Conclusion:
Pasta e ceci is a simple but flavorful soup that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's made with a few simple ingredients, and it can be easily customized to your liking. Whether you like your pasta e ceci thick or thin, spicy or mild, there's a recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give pasta e ceci a try. You won't be disappointed!
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